HAWAII ISLAND – Due to impacts from the high surf along West Hawaii shores, the Hawaii County Civil Defense reports the following areas are closed:

• La‘aloa Beach Park
• Kahalu‘u Beach Park
• Kua Bay
• Hapuna Beach
• Mau‘umae Beach
• Kauna‘oa Bay

Officials say additional closures may be needed without notice.

The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Warning for west facing shores of Kohala, Kona and Ka‘u on Wednesday evening. The warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. this evening.

A High Surf Warning means there is a significant threat to life and property from the surf, officials say. Weather forecasters expect waves to be 10 to 15 feet high. There is a significant threat to life and property from the surf.

“Oceanfront residents, all ocean activities and beachgoers along the affected shores are advised to be on the alert,” a civil defense message states. “You are advised to exercise caution due to the unpredictability of huge swells and dangerous surf.”